Kippah: A Blessing On Your Head

It is perhaps the most instantly identifiable mark of a Jew. When and why do we wear a kippah?

In the Western world, it is customary to remove one's head covering when meeting an important person. In Judaism, putting on a head covering is a sign of respect.

The uniqueness of a Jewish head covering is hinted at in the blessing we say every morning, thanking God for "crowning Israel with splendor" (Talmud – Brachot 60b)

The kippah is a means to draw out one's inner sense of respect for God.

The Talmud says that the purpose of wearing a kippah is to remind us of God, who is the Higher Authority "above us" (Kiddushin 31a). External actions create internal awareness; wearing a symbolic, tangible "something above us" reinforces that idea that God is always watching. The kippah is a means to draw out one's inner sense of respect for God.

It's easy to remember God while at the synagogue or around the Shabbat table. But Jewish consciousness is meant to pervade all aspects of our lives – how we treat others, how we conduct business, and how we look at the world.

Appropriately, the Yiddish word for head covering, "yarmulke," comes from the Aramaic, yira malka, which means "awe of the King."

In Hebrew, the head covering is called "kippah" – literally "dome."

Making a Statement

To wear a kippah is to proclaim "I am a proud Jew." There is a fascinating phenomenon whereby non-observant Jews visiting Israel will wear a kippah for the duration of their stay. It may be out of a sense that the entire Land of Israel is holy like a synagogue. Or it may be the removal of any self-consciousness that can often accompany public expression of Jewishness in the diaspora.

A kippah is the sign of a Torah ambassador and reflects on all Jews.

Indeed, wearing a kippah is a big statement, and obligates the wearer to live up to a certain standard of behavior. A person has to think twice before cutting in line at the bank, or berating an incompetent waiter. Wearing a kippah makes one a Torah ambassador and reflects on all Jews. The actions of someone wearing a kippah can create a Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God's name) or conversely a Chillul Hashem (desecration of His name).

Of course, putting on a kippah does not automatically confer "role model" status. Sometimes we unfortunately hear of a religious person caught in some indiscretion. I recall one time in Los Angeles, noticing that a drunken, disheveled man was walking down the street – wearing a kippah! He wasn't Jewish, but he'd found an old kippah and thought it helped him fit in with the neighborhood atmosphere. For me, it drove home the idea that it's not fair to "judge Judaism" based on someone displaying the outer trappings of observance.

When to Wear a Kippah?

From a biblical standpoint, only the Kohanim serving in the Temple were required to cover their heads (see Exodus 28:4). Yet for many centuries, the obligatory custom has been for Jewish men to wear a kippah all the time, as the Code of Jewish Law says, "It is forbidden to walk four cubits without a head covering."

Does a kippah have to be worn while playing sports? This issue came to the fore recently with the publicity surrounding Tamir Goodman, the basketball sensation who is an observant Jew.

The answer is that it is preferable to wear even a small kippah, pinned to the hair. (Velcro works great!) If it is impossible because of the game conditions or rules, it is okay to play without a kippah.

When bathing or swimming, one does not wear a kippah.

Certainly, a head covering is obligatory while engaged in prayer and Torah study.

What kind of head covering qualifies? Basically anything – including a baseball cap or a scarf tied around one's head. Of course, in the synagogue, it is more respectful to use a regular kippah.

A kippah should be large enough to be seen from all sides.

How large must a kippah be? Rabbi Moshe Feinstein states that the minimum measure is that "which would be called a head covering." Rabbi Ovadiah Yosef says the kippah should be large enough to be seen from all sides.

The style of kippah worn can reflect an interesting sociological phenomena, often denoting a person's group affiliation. For example, yeshivah-style Jews wear a black velvet kippah. Modern Orthodox Jews often wear a knitted, colored kippah. Many Chassidic Jews wear a fur hat (shtreimel) on Shabbat and holidays.

Additionally, many also wear a hat when they pray to increase awareness of the Almighty as they stand before Him. (Mishne Brura 183:11)

Business Questions

What about instances where wearing a kippah conflicts with business and career interests?

Rabbi Moshe Feinstein writes that in certain cases, there is room to be lenient. For example, a trial lawyer might not be properly serving his client if the jury will be distracted by the kippah. U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman may use a similar line of reasoning.

Of course this can cut both ways. A prominent businssman once told me that for every client "lost" because of his kippah, there were two clients gained, who respected his display of integrity and courage in wearing a kippah.

The story goes that Rabbi Levi Yitzhak of Berditchev once saw a man running. "Where are you running to?" the rabbi asked.

"I have to get to my job," the man said.

The rabbi retorted: "Perhaps your livelihood is in the other direction – and you're running away from it!"

For many seeking to express their Jewish identity, "to kippah or not to kippah?" – that is the question. Here are two fascinating first-person accounts of how to deal with this issue:

Related Articles:

About the Author

Rabbi Shraga Simmons spent his childhood trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. In 1997 he became the founding editor of Aish.com, and later the founder and director of the Torah study website, JewishPathways.com.

An expert on media bias, Simmons was the founding editor of HonestReporting.com, building it into a leading database of pro-Israel activists, where his work was cited by the New York Times as effecting sweeping changes in Mideast media coverage. He is the author of the definitive treatment of the topic, David & Goliath: The Explosive Inside Story of Media Bias in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (2012), which James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal calls "of crucial importance for the future of the Middle East."

In 2012, Simmons produced the critically-acclaimed short film, "Red Line on Iran," outlining a peaceful solution to stopping nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

Rabbi Simmons currently serves as the Director of Aish Communications, handling all marketing, public relations and media activities for Aish HaTorah International.

Visitor Comments: 38

(32)
Anonymous,
October 30, 2012 6:44 PM

Who wears a kippah

who wears a kippah? Everyone? Just men? Who?

(31)
Rachel,
March 24, 2011 11:57 PM

Roman Catholic clergy

In ancient Rome, the mark of a slave was an uncovered head. Christians adopted this symbolism (for men) as the servants of G-d. As the Chuch became more of a societal institution, the bishops (including the Pope) began to wear something on their heads as a mark of their authority.
Btw, Roman Catholic women were required to cover their hair in church until the 1960's -- but this was abolished because it had become common throughout societies and cultures for women to have uncovered hair without any negative connotations. (I know when I was a child in the 1960's, my grandmother and mother would not dream of even going around the corner to the supermarket without being properly dressed, including a hat.)

Anonymous,
August 21, 2012 1:03 AM

Where do you find that about clergy?

I found the comment about Roman slaves having uncovered heads and its effects to be fascinating, so I tried to look it up. I couldn't find anything. Something about certain freed slaves being presented with a specific type of hat (pileus) but that's it. But I'm not a historian and I was only able to read through popular sources. (I would be willing to slog through a journal article if I could find the right one.) Anyway, if anyone can confirm or deny this and/or point me to some sources, I would very much appreciate it! Thank you.

(30)
miriamwcohen,
March 24, 2011 4:14 PM

historical references

This Kippa covering issue is a relatively modern issue. My father, a very religious and observant Jew when living in Berlin in 1920 to 1938 when we were expelled, did not wear a head covering. And in the US for as long as he lived; he died in 1952, wore a hat outside the home, but these were in the hat wearing days, and a yarmulke in the house when he was eating., davenning, bentching, etc. It is only recently that male Jews wear their kippa publicly in various places.
And if you are anywear aware of the trend, women Rabbis in the Conservative and Reform movements, wear kippot in public. This whole issue leads me to the conclusion that it is not so much a religious issue, but one of a modern convention in a free society. In today's modern Paris, where Jews wearing Kippot are attacked, the Rabbis have told the young men not to wear them publicly as it is a "Sakana" (danger) So while this is an interesting discussion for some of us, it needs to be addressed thoughtfully. As most things in life today , a glib answer to this is not the proper answer at all times.

Rachmiel Travitz,
March 29, 2011 4:08 PM

Germany was different

You cannot bring a proof from Germany, because the Halachic authorities a long time ago dealt with the decree of the German Monarchy (i forget which year) that if a Jew does not dress like a Gentile (which btw, is totally forbidden. see my comment below) then his 'blood is free', G-d forbid... The later authorities state that we can't say even though there is no longer any physical danger, dressing like gentiles in Germany is forbidden, because it is already a set thing there to dress like them and G-d forbid to learn prohibitions on fellow Jews, when it started because they were forced. the same thing would apply to Paris, I guess, but generally, it is totally prohibited to walk even 4 steps without a Kippah (see the sources in my comment below)

(29)
Andrea,
March 24, 2011 3:36 PM

funny story

Regarding the comment about Catholics covering their head. I was on vacation with my family over 10 years ago - we were traveling through the South (I think we were in Georgia). We stopped for gas and my husband went to pay the attendant who noticed my husband's kippah and asked "Are you Catholic?" As he got back into the car my husband said to me "I wonder if I'm the first Jew he ever met". I also see non Jews wearing a yarmulke out of respect when at a Jewish function. I feel funny seeing it but understand it.

Shlomi,
September 12, 2011 3:36 PM

When in Rome

A non-Jew wears a kippah at Jewish religious events because it is required, and it is respectful. As a locksmith when I go into an Asian person's house, I remove my shoes, because it is respectful. There is a synagogue down in the city, Ahavath Achim, that even provides little doilies for women visitors. It's not halacha, doesn't 'cover' her hair, but it sets the tone that there are standards, and a mode. It says,'we welcome you' yet doesn't throw tradition out the window.

(28)
Daniel W Krueger,
March 24, 2011 12:52 AM

My kippah is like a tie in the US business world

I observe the command to cover my head - I also take the opportunity to make it personal for me in greater society.
I am blessed to have a collection of nearly 100 kippahs. I work in a very US company and am one of just a few Jews, and most (if not all) of the others are not very observant.
I wear kippah all the time, and I do make sure its color matches my clothing of the day (usually my shirt) so I select by color and pattern based on that. I do have a few (are 20 a few??) that can go on the head with any selection of clothes.
When I attend a B'M celebration at that time I do wear the family kippah out of respect for their purchase. I usually leave them in the bin at the entrance to the sanctuary, easy because they usually cover my existing kippah which stays on.
I do select my kippah based on my clothing so not to clash :) In the words of TJ Maxx - I have my inner Jew fashionista time with my kippah selection every day!

(27)
Richard Coren,
March 23, 2011 10:11 PM

Catholic use of kippah

Re your article on Kippah;
Many years ago , when I was student at Gratz College for Jewish studies in Philadelphia, Prof Saul; Wachs commented that the Catholic custom that their Bishops wear a kippah is due to their copying the Hebrew custom of respecting
God by doing so.
Shortly after, when i was in Florida i came across a newspaper comment by a Catholic priest stating that Jews did not originally wear kippot but adopted them later, copying the custom of the high Catholic clergy.
I believe Wachs but would appreciate having corroboration by some scholar of religious history.
Richard Coren
coren10@comcast.net

(26)
Anonymous,
March 23, 2011 9:05 PM

Goyim wear Kippah out of respect for the Jewish traditions when attending services at local synagogue.

I am not Jewish, but I feel I should wear the Kippah at synagogue our of respect and love for the Jewish people and the Jewish traditions. Do you feel I should not do this? I do not want to offend in anyway.

(25)
Joseph,
March 23, 2011 6:33 PM

Yiddish word for Kippah

First of all, the word used in the Gemara is "Sudar". Secondly the Yiddish word for it is "koppel". Third, Yarmulka is a Turkic word for a small cap that probably bled into modern Yiddish through Podolia.

(24)
maurice medoff,
March 23, 2011 5:35 PM

yarmulke Turtic not aramaic?

The philolgogy/linguistics has been associated with in my recollection with the influence of Turtic language. Can you comment further research?

(23)
a.h,
March 23, 2011 3:47 PM

A BLESSING UPON YOUR HEAD

Maybe like the mizuza. A reminder of the control of input allowed in.

(22)
Ron,
March 23, 2011 3:36 PM

Goyim Need Not Wear Yarmulkas

When a non-Jew enters a shul or goes to The Wall for some odd reason they feel obligated to put on a Yarmula. This is not neccersary. The obligation is on a Jew where ever he is and not the location.

(21)
david lejbik,
March 23, 2011 2:49 PM

the code of dress fo a jew is stated in vayikra to be"not what the other nations wear"; in this regard the kippah is the easiest and most obvious way to acieve this mtzvah and bolster your own yiddishness .In my experience the gentiles resp

wearing a kippah is an easy way to be torah true to jewish fashion;that is the torah says in vayikra that the apparel of the jew should be whatever the gentiles around don"t wear.Our uniform should not copy theirs.The yarmulka is a great way to be makayim that mtzvah and at the same time boslster your own identity as a jew.I find that in my experience the gentiles respect a frum jew more than one who is "passing" .keep wearing those jewish uniforms and good things will become the jewish peopl throug unity

Rachmiel Travitz,
March 29, 2011 4:11 PM

100% true... but just to add

not just kippot, but other clothing as well... though those laws are complex, and this is not the place... i highly reccomend the sefer 'Minhag Yisrael Torah', the volume on Chukat HaGoy, if you are interested

(20)
Lloyd Oestreicher,
March 23, 2011 5:40 AM

kippah

The kippah is between man and God. Jews comprise 3% of the worlds population. If the kippah is a distraction to the world around us, lose it in public. I wear my yarmulke in synagogue.

IrisB,
March 23, 2011 4:50 PM

Personal choice

I agree that sometimes the yarmulke could be a distraction and at those times, one should remove it.
Jews would be exerting an even greater influence in the world, if we numbered 3% of the world's population. Given that there are over 5 billion people and Jews number maybe 25 million, our percentages is closer to less than 1/2 of 1%. Our numbers should only be 3%!

(19)
Seth,
August 28, 2008 4:16 PM

Mazol Tov Yari! I have the GMAT coming up & I too will wear my Kippah!

(18)
A student of Religions,
August 22, 2008 12:46 AM

Thank you for featuring this article it was very helpful to a school project I am doing.

(17)
Anonymous,
July 16, 2008 8:38 AM

I'm not Jewish, but I think the idea behind the kippah is really interesting. Would it be wrong of me to wear one, even though I'm not Jewish?

(16)
Yari,
July 1, 2008 9:45 AM

My Kippah is always on my head. My SAT was 1580. TA!

(15)
anonymous,
May 23, 2008 6:35 PM

Thankyou this was a very interesting article and helped me with my school project.

(14)
Mati,
February 11, 2008 5:01 AM

I'm in the military and I wear mine at all times. There is even a regulation allowing me to do so.

(13)
Anonymous,
February 1, 2007 11:16 AM

Ta this helped me sssooooooooo much with my home work!!

(12)
Jen,
November 11, 2006 3:48 AM

Thankz

Thank you very much this was great for my school work love from Jen xxx

(11)
Maggie,
April 28, 2006 12:00 AM

thanks soo much!

again, like rachel this site was amazinggg for my school project! thanks again! this site is greatt!

(10)
rachel,
March 6, 2006 12:00 AM

thanx!!!

this site was brill 4 my skool religion project on jewish culture

(9)
David Winer,
March 10, 2005 12:00 AM

I believe another basis for the tradition of wearing a kippah is found in Shabbat 156b - The mother of Rabbi Nachman bar Yitzchaq says to him: "Cover your head so that reverence for God be upon you." There is something precious about an origin which has a Jewish mother saying, in effect, "Now sonny, be sure to wear your cap!"

(8)
Moshe Bernstein,
September 22, 2002 12:00 AM

Great Article!

I'm fourteen years old, and my parents are very observant Orthodox Jews. I always wear a kippah, and have since I was very small. I even wear it to school which is a Catholic School, besides the sometimes bullying and snatching it from my head, it's been fine. I thimk I'll always wear a kippah. To me it says to everyone that, "I'm a Jew, and I'm proud wether you like it or not." It has also helped me see if someones a friend, or an Anti-Semite.

(7)
Fay Lloyd,
September 17, 2002 12:00 AM

You're stuff is great!! I can't wait every week for more!! Kol Hakavod!!

When our son started law school(about 14 years ago) at Fordham Law,(Jesuit school), the night before he started classes (we were already living in Israel,)he asked me what I thought about his going to classes with a kippah or without. I said that the decision was his and whichever one he made would be the right one. Two weeks later he called back to say "I wore my Kippah, was the only one and would you believe that now there are 15 more Kipot and we're looking for a room (without a hanging Jesus) to daven mincha. I laughed. I was a proud mama!

(6)
AARON BOCKNEK,
September 6, 2002 12:00 AM

MY KIPPAH AS A US AIRWAYS FLIGHT ATTENDANT

i was hired as a flight attendant with the "express" division of us airways in 1989....wearing a small black kippah with my uniform. in 1997 the management of allegheny airlines, dba us airways express of harrisburg, pa tried to fire me because, "your cap is not professionsl and is out of line with the uniform." they even tried to tell me to that "wearing it to and from work is also not allowed because there is a danger that someone will notice you are a uniformed employee of this company." my supervisor, deb hoke, even said, "well, why dont you just roll it up and put it in your pocket. its just the same right?" never mind that other uniformed employees were wearing crosses and other items that distinguished their faith, but i was constantly put on notice that i could not continue to wear my kippah. in 1999 i joined the jet division of us airways and the matter was not even addressed. to this day, whenever i fly from new york to florida and any other city pair there is a large population of jews, there is an instant recognition and a feeling of security i bring to these passengers. more so especially after 11 sept 2001. when i fly, i feel proud that i sport my small black kippah with my uniform.

It is very appreciated that someone
takes the time and puts retrospective
in the meaning of wearing a kippah,
and hopefully will help more individuals Show more pride in there faith in God than to worry about what others think.

Thank You,
Eric E. Gordon
U.S. Army

(4)
Joshua Culp,
September 4, 2002 12:00 AM

Just Kippah!

After I moved to school in the south I found myself in an area with very few Jews and almost none practicing. I was frequently asked questions about Judaism, the most popular was "where's your little hat." Even if we don't want to be representatives of Judaism, we are. In our multicultural society the general public knows who the Jews are and the know a little bit about our traditions. In most cases it's not them who has a problem with our kippot, it's we who are timid. My answer -- just wear it.

(3)
Anonymous,
September 3, 2002 12:00 AM

To kippah or not to kippah

There's a price to pay for wearing a kippah - whatever style - and perhaps there's even a greater price for not wearing one but in most cases it depends on how "comfortable" each Jew feels with his Yahadut and it's also very difficult and can also be hurtful to be under everyone's scrutiny about your beliefs and way of life.It's an individual's call.

(2)
Phil Silverman,
September 3, 2002 12:00 AM

Origin of "yarmulke"

Although I try to remember the lesson of "Fear the King" when I put my "yira malka" on my head, the Russian word "yermolka" was a small cap worn for hunting. Yermolka can be found in Russian
literature from the mid-1800s.

Joseph,
March 23, 2011 6:30 PM

Origins of word "Yarmulka

Phil, you are correct. The word is Turkic in origin and the popularized Aramaic theory is really just that, an erroneous post hoc theory.

(1)
Allan Koven,
September 1, 2002 12:00 AM

Obviously then, women don't need the reminder. It this because they are created with a higher spiritual neshamah?

"The Talmud says that the purpose of wearing a kippah is to remind us of God, who is the Higher Authority "above us" (Kiddushin 31a). External actions create internal awareness; wearing a symbolic, tangible "something above us" reinforces that idea that God is always watching. The kippah is a means to draw out one's inner sense of respect for God."

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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